FLOATS OF FANCY\Winds go away, letting show go on.Byline: Kimberly Kindy kindy, kindie Noun pl -dies Austral & NZ informal a kindergarten Daily News Staff Writer Strong winds whipped against Rose Parade floats on New Year's Eve, tugging at delicate flower petals and slapping against tiny berries and seeds adorning floats that towered as high as 48 feet. For a while, things looked bad for the 107th annual Tournament of Roses parade The Tournament of Roses Parade was established, and first held, on January 1,1890, in Pasadena, California, eight miles (13 km) northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. Rooted in tradition, this parade is broadcast on multiple television networks, watched by upwards of one . Weather forecasters predicted more high winds for Monday morning. But as the sun rose New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. , the wind gave way to a gentle breeze. Brilliant blue skies and unseasonably balmy weather prevailed. Grand Marshal Kermit the Frog Kermit the Frog is a Muppet who was first introduced in 1955 and is one of puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous and beloved creations. Kermit was performed by Henson until his death in 1990. Since then, he has been performed by Steve Whitmire. , a bungee-jumping Jack on a beanstalk, a bespectacled Mother Goose, giant Muppets and dozens of other spectacular floats and high-stepping marching bands completed their 5.5-mile trek practically without a hitch, in front of a television audience of 450 million and hundreds of thousands more along the parade route. "That's my favorite! The tree comes alive!" shouted a gleeful glee·ful adj. Full of jubilant delight; joyful. glee  ful·ly adv.glee Michael Gamache, 5, marveling at Arco's Trick or Treat float, a ghoulish ghoul n. 1. One who delights in the revolting, morbid, or loathsome. 2. A grave robber. 3. An evil spirit or demon in Muslim folklore believed to plunder graves and feed on corpses. and graveyard-theme spectacle in which tombstones tombstones a cellular phenomenon in pemphigus vulgaris; rows of basal cells of the epidermis remain attached to the basal membrane, reminiscent of rows of tombstones. bobbed up and down and a girl dressed as a witch ran screaming from a menacing-looking tree that roared and ascended 35 feet. The float won the Grand Marshal's award for "excellence in creative concept" and "dramatic impact." The theme of this year's parade was "Kids' Laughter and Dreams." Many of the floats were inspired by fairy tales and television shows. The floral extravaganza featured 55 floats, 30 equestrian units and 24 marching bands. Befitting be·fit·ting adj. Appropriate; suitable; proper. be·fit ting·ly adv.Adj. 1. a parade made up of millions of flowers, a float sponsored by Florists' Transworld Delivery Florists Transworld Delivery or FTD is a company based in Downers Grove, Illinois, in the United States. It operates two main businesses: The Consumer Business sells flowers and gift items through its websites and The Floral Business sells computer services, software and (FTD FTD Financial Times Deutschland (German sister newspaper of the Financial Times) FTD Frontotemporal Dementia FTD Fitted FTD Federal Tax Deposit FTD Flight Training Device FTD Fastest Time of the Day ) won the Sweepstakes Trophy for its "Alice in Wonderland"-themed "Tea with Friends." Parade watchers craned their necks to catch a glimpse Verb 1. catch a glimpse - see something for a brief time catch sight, get a look see - perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight; "You have to be a good observer to see all the details"; "Can you see the bird in that tree?"; "He is blind--he of the float, which featured a tea-sipping Alice, giant mushrooms covered with pods, and a White Rabbit decorated with carnations and coconut flakes. Southern California Edison's "Headed to Our Party" float won the Theme Trophy. The entry featured orchids, irises, gladiolas, parsley and straw flower-covered puppets from the Public Broadcasting Service's "The Puzzle Place." The float was the first in the parade's history to be powered by batteries and solar energy. Kermit the Frog was a big hit with the children, who shrieked shriek n. 1. A shrill, often frantic cry. 2. A sound suggestive of such a cry. v. shrieked, shriek·ing, shrieks v.intr. 1. To utter a shriek. 2. and waved as he passed by. When a yellow rose fell from a float carrying a gigantic carousel horse, Erin Pizinger, 15, darted onto the parade route, grabbed the flower off the ground, and tucked it into her purse. "I'm going to keep it as a souvenir," the Moreno Valley resident said, scurrying scur·ry intr.v. scur·ried, scur·ry·ing, scur·ries 1. To go with light running steps; scamper. 2. To flurry or swirl about. n. pl. scur·ries 1. The act of scurrying. back to the plastic crate she had been using for a chair. "I'm going to dry it and use it in my scrapbook - the first page of 1996." Most of the floats finished the route without a hitch. Five were towed to the viewing area, where they will be on display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. "The breakdowns were caused by minor hydraulic or fuel line problems," Veronda said. After the parade, thousands of people poured into the float viewing area on Sierra Madre Boulevard Sierra Madre Boulevard is a 7-mile long road connecting four suburbs of Pasadena, California; Hastings Ranch, East Pasadena, and San Marino. For the most part, is a winding road divided by a grassy median, built around an interurban line of the Pacific Electric. for an up-close glimpse of the awe-inspiring displays. "This is a huge crowd. It's just too many to count," said 23-year parade volunteer Ken Veronda. Parade organizers encourage float viewers to arrive early. Special viewing hours for seniors and the disabled will be 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Arrests were slightly higher than last year's parade, which was held Jan. 2, in keeping with the parade's never-on-Sunday policy. By 10 a.m., there were 84 arrests, 44 for drunk and disorderly conduct disorderly conduct Conduct likely to lead to a disturbance of the public peace or that offends public decency. It has been held to include the use of obscene language in public, fighting in a public place, blocking public ways, and making threats. . There was one arrest for assault with a deadly weapon Assault with a Deadly Weapon is the term used to describe the act of threatening to harm one or more people by using a weapon (usually a firearm). Here, assault must be differentiated from battery as they are often confused. Assault is threatening to use force. , said Pasadena police Cmdr. Mary Schander. Despite the illicit shenanigans shenanigans Noun, pl Informal 1. mischief or nonsense 2. trickery or deception [origin unknown] , overnight camper Jo Anna Stravinskas of Northridge said the crowd was remarkably well-behaved. "We walked around for two hours last night and left all our stuff and no one touched anything," she said, her 10-year-old son asleep in her lap just one hour into the parade. "It's one of the few times in California where there is a lot of honesty and friendliness." Parade watchers weren't the only ones enjoying themselves. "This is so much fun, I can't believe it," said giggling Rose Queen Keli Hutchins, 17, of San Marino before the parade began. The Animation Trophy went to La Canada Flintridge's "Sea Dreams" featuring two children following their dream of finding a sea serpent; Sunkist Growers Inc. captured the Extraodinaire Trophy for most spectacular entry with its "Fantasy Factory." Grand Marshal Kermit was perched in the back of the vintage Lincoln with the back seat removed to make room for 6-foot-4 puppeteer Steve Whitmire, who has been Kermit's keeper since Jim Henson died. TROPHY WINNERS Winners of trophies presented during the 107th Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day: Animation Trophy for display of animation: City of La Canada Flintridge entry "Sea Dreams," featuring two children following their dream of finding a sea serpent. Director's Trophy for outstanding merit in design and floral presentation: United Airlines entry "Rhapsody in Blue
For the Farscape episode of the same name, see . Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924, which combines ," featuring an enthusiastic blue bird conducting Gershwin's classic. Extraordinaire ex·tra·or·di·naire adj. Extraordinary: a jazz singer extraordinaire. [French, from Old French, from Latin extra Trophy for most spectacular entry: Sunkist Growers Inc. entry "Fantasy Factory," featuring a giant fun factory pulled by an oversize o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. Adj. 1. tractor. Fantasy Trophy for fantasy and imagination: U.S. Postal Service The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) processes and delivers mail to individuals and businesses within the United States. The service seeks to improve its performance through the development of efficient mail-handling systems and operates its own planning and engineering programs. entry "We Deliver Dreams," featuring a dream machine mixing old-fashioned integrity and futuristic ingenuity. Founder's Trophy for most beautiful entry built and decorated by volunteers: City of Downey's "Tropical Playground," featuring a tropical playground with sea horses and tropical fish. Governor's Trophy for best depiction of life in California: City of Azusa's "Are We There Yet?" featuring backpacking, hiking and camping in the great outdoors. Grand Marshal's Trophy for most creative design: Arco entry "Trick-or-Treat," featuring carving of jack-o-lanterns and things that go bump in the night. Humor Trophy for most amusing: Eastman Kodak Co. entry "Treasure Island" featuring the Muppets' takeover of Treasure Island. International Trophy for most beautiful entry from outside the continental United States United States territory, including the adjacent territorial waters, located within North America between Canada and Mexico. Also called CONUS. : Thailand's "More Splendid Than a Dream" celebrating the 50th anniversary of the crowning of the king. Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color and color harmony: Target Stores entry "Clowning Around" featuring a trio of clowns announcing the circus coming to town. Judges' Special Trophy for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact: American Honda Motor Co. Inc. entry "KLDX-96" featuring a low-riding vehicle unfolding into an action hero. Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for most beautiful entry from a noncommercial sponsor: Costa Rica entry "Dreams of Paradise" featuring two giant macaws in a rain forest. Mayor's Trophy for best city entry: City of Long Beach entry "I'm a Whale Watcher" featuring a comic whale and pelican. National Trophy for best depiction of life in the United States: Ruby's Restaurants entry "Malt Shop Memories" featuring young love at a malt shop. President's Trophy for floral excellence: Countrywide Home Loans entry "Making Dreams Come True" featuring children on a magic carpet under gaze of a genie. Past Presidents' Trophy: most effective use and presentation of flowers: Automobile Club of Southern California's "Animals Are Awesome" featuring exotic animals with a message of conservation. Princesses' Trophy: most beautiful entry under 35 feet in length: City of Glendale's "Mother Goose Stories" featuring Mother Goose sharing tales. Queen's Trophy for best use of roses: City of St. Louis entry "Cinderella -- Dreams Come True" featuring the stroke before midnight. Sweepstakes Trophy for most beautiful entry: Florists' Transworld Delivery entry "Tea With Friends" featuring the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. Theme Trophy for best presentation of theme Kids' Laughter and Dreams: Southern California Edison's "Headed to Our Party" featuring puppets on electric powered floral cars. Tournament Special Trophy for exceptional merit in multiple classifications: Farmers Insurance Group's "Kids . . . America's Promise" with three kids on bikes and puppies tagging along. Volunteer's Trophy for floral design of parade theme under 35 feet in length: City of Burbank's "Dreamflight" featuring a young boy skating above the clouds with a baby dragon. SOURCE: Associated Press CAPTION(S): PHOTO[ordinal indicator, masculine]MAP[ordinal indicator, masculine]CHART (1 -- color) The "Tea with Friends" float by Florists' Transworld Delivery won the Sweepstakes Award in the 107th annual Tournament of Roses parade Monday in Pasadena. Bob Halvorsen/Daily News (2 -- color) Grand Marshal Kermit the Frog strikes a ribbeting figure along the parade route Monday. (3 -- color) 1996 Rose Queen Keli Hutchins, 17, of San Marino, waves to parade onlookers. (4) Jack of the "Jack in the Beanstalk" fame rides a high vine Monday atop the Lays "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fun" float while the giant looks on. (5) Sporting a newspaper hat, Kyle Christensen, 5, finds the right perch for a better look at passing floats. (6) The city of Burbank won the Volunteer's Trophy for the dragon smoking Dreamflight, its 64th entry in the Tournament of Roses parade. Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News (7) Glendale's Mother Goose was awarded the Princesses' Trophy. Bob Halvorsen/Daily News Box Trophy winners (see text) Map Floats on display Daily news |
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